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Leica M10 vs Pentax Q10

Portability
75
Imaging
72
Features
45
Overall
61
Leica M10 front
 
Pentax Q10 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
56
Overall
44

Leica M10 vs Pentax Q10 Key Specs

Leica M10
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 50000
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 660g - 139 x 80 x 39mm
  • Introduced January 2017
  • Replacement is Leica M11
Pentax Q10
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 34mm
  • Released September 2012
  • Superseded the Pentax Q
  • Updated by Pentax Q7
Photography Glossary

Leica M10 vs Pentax Q10 Overview

The following is a in depth analysis of the Leica M10 versus Pentax Q10, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Leica and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the M10 (24MP) and Q10 (12MP) and the M10 (Full frame) and Q10 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor sizing.

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The M10 was brought out 4 years after the Q10 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple summary of how the M10 matches up vs the Q10 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica M10 over the Pentax Q10

 M10 Q10 
ReleasedJanuary 2017September 2012Newer by 54 months
Display resolution1037k460kClearer display (+577k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q10 over the Leica M10

 Q10 M10 

Common features in the Leica M10 and Pentax Q10

 M10 Q10 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Leica M10 vs Pentax Q10 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Leica M10 has physical measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 39mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs) and the Pentax Q10 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Look at the Leica M10 versus Pentax Q10 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the M10 vs the Q10.

Leica M10 vs Pentax Q10 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the M10 and Q10 is 75 and 92 respectively.

Leica M10 vs Pentax Q10 top view buttons comparison

Leica M10 vs Pentax Q10 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions purely by viewing a spec sheet. The image underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the M10 and Q10.

Clearly, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The M10 due to its larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Leica M10 will render more detail having its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The younger M10 will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Leica M10 vs Pentax Q10 sensor size comparison

Leica M10 vs Pentax Q10 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M10 vs Pentax Q10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M10 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q10 as a Portrait photography camera
83
you can focus manually
MP count good (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
48
manual focus
high flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Leica M10 Street photography highlights
Pentax Q10 Street photography highlights
68
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
above average high ISO (50,000)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (200 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Leica M10 Sports photography factors
Pentax Q10 Sports photography factors
52
MP count good (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low battery power (210 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
36
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (5.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery (270 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica M10 Travel photography details
Pentax Q10 Travel photography details
57
MP count good (24 megapixels)
low battery power (210 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
lighter than competition in class (200g)
has built in flash
low battery (270 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M10 Landscape photography details
Pentax Q10 Landscape photography details
75
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Leica M mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
MP count good (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (50,000)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
low battery power (210 CIPA)
54
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery (270 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M10 Vlogging features
Pentax Q10 Vlogging features
9
no video shooting
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (200 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone port
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Leica M10 vs Pentax Q10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M10 and Pentax Q10
 Leica M10Pentax Q10
General Information
Company Leica Pentax
Model Leica M10 Pentax Q10
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2017-01-18 2012-09-10
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Maestro II -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 35.8 x 23.9mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 855.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5952 x 3992 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 50000 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount Leica M Pentax Q
Number of lenses 59 8
Focal length multiplier 1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Optical (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.73x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 7.00 m
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 660 gr (1.46 pounds) 200 gr (0.44 pounds)
Dimensions 139 x 80 x 39mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 102 x 58 x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 86 49
DXO Color Depth score 24.4 21.1
DXO Dynamic range score 13.3 10.9
DXO Low light score 2133 183
Other
Battery life 210 photos 270 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch price $7,595 $350